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11 October, 2009

Mosaic Monday/Three or More Tuesday...or...A Few Frenchy Favorites!

Today, I am taking you to Alsace in the northeastern corner of France. Well, not exactly, but I am going to share a few of my little treasures! If you are not familiar with Alsace, I’ll bet that you could guess from the photo that it is on the border with Germany…but it is still VERY French. Warning! Warning! I feel the French teacher in me coming out! lol

photo of Strasbourg from Wikipedia

First, I would like to share with you my two favorite Alsatian plates. In the upper left is a Sarreguemines plate in the Obernai pattern depicting an Alsatian woman and her daughter going to church, dressed in traditional costumes. I love the flowers on the border! On the lower right is a Limoges plate featuring the products of Alsace, including a peek at the traditional architecture with a stork nesting on the chimney. I’ll tell you a little more about the costumes and the storks later. The yellow fruit is mirabelles…a sort of yellow plum which makes a yummy tarte!

And this little jewel is a special favorite because it was a gift from a dear French friend of mine to my mother. It is only three inches in diameter! It depicts the traditional architecture of Strasbourg with the cathedral in the background and a stork’s nest. It is believed that having a stork build its nest on your home brings luck. However…no fires in the fireplace! And…if you want a baby brother or sister, just leave a sugar cube on the window sill and the stork will grant your wish in return for the treat!

I love these little people dressed in the traditional Alsatian costumes! I bought several sets of these to give as gifts, but could only part with one set…which I gave to my sister. She hangs them on her tree at Christmas. I have them hung in several places around my house as a reminder of a trip to Strasbourg for the Christmas Market. When you tug on the string, their arms and legs move!

I am sure that you have noticed by now that Alsatian women are frequently portrayed as wearing a large black bow. Actually, there are numerous traditional coiffes or caps for the region, but this one has come to represent all of Alsace. It was worn by the women in protest of the German occupation of Alsace in 1870 and 1914. You have to admire them for making their political views known! The traditional costume is now only worn for special fêtes or holidays.

photo from Wikipedia

This is a colorful little cookie tin whose cookies long ago...er...disappeared! You can see men and women in costume, as well as references to some of the products of Alsace…vins d’Alsace and bière d’Alsace…wine and beer from Alsace. The brasserie, a sort of bar/restaurant, is serving the local specialties. And, of course, there is a stork’s nest!

Hmmmm…I would like to show you this picture that usually hangs in my kitchen…but Kitty isn’t in a sharing mood! It features several labels from the wines of Alsace. Have you ever had a glass of Riesling or Gewürztraminer? Then you have sampled them!

Finally! She has allowed me to show you a little peek! I love this one…it has all of the traditional elements…the costumes, the architecture and the stork!! One day, I hope to go back to Alsace…but it will not be soon enough! In the meantime, I will have to visit through my little treasures!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please join me in visiting Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, where you will see one of her beautiful mosaics and find a list of this week’s participants.

Then on Tuesday, head on over to Tam’s at The Gypsy’s Corner where I am joining our wonderful hostess for my very first Three or More Tuesday! There you will find all sorts of interesting collections! I am happy to be a part of this meme and I do believe that it may become a habit! See you next time! A la prochaine!

Debbie, I just love it when you show us your treasures from your time living in France and all of the wonderful travels you did. You always explain all the pictures and the traditions so well and make it so fascinating. Thanks again for a great tour. Hugs, Marty

Love the little tins!!! :) When we stayed in Luxembourg, my parents went over the border to Alsace one day, but we didn't get to go. :s I was thinking that the architecture looked a bit like Germany. :) Neat stuff!

Hi Debbie! What a wonderful post! A couple of years ago we were in Strasbourg! It was so wonderful and I did feel like I was in a fairy tale. The cathedral is just amazing! You've made me feel as if I've taken another little trip there.Be a sweetie,Shelia ;)

Debbie I enjoyed seeing more of your French treasures. You must have had such a wonderful experience during your year in France. It's fun to hear about all this. The little tin is too cute, and I'm amused about the storks. When we visited Morocco a few years ago, storks were nesting in the old palace with in the old city walls. We could sit on the rooftop terrace and watch them going about the day coming and going and feeding their babies. Did you know that storks mate for life and that both adults care for the young? Such fascinating birds!Thanks again, Debbie, for sharing your French experiences and knowledge. Have a great week. ~ Sarah

Debbie, what a fun post. I love the old photo of the girl in the traditional dress. And I really love the stork stories, especially the sugar cube on the window ledge. Sheesh, if I would have only known lol. Have a great week. Hugs, Kat

Linda that was an interesting post. I had to smile at the photo of the gal with the HUGE black bow on her head. I wonder if it made her take a tylenol? I was at a wonderful plate store this weekend and thought of you. It was up in Alpharetta and I know you would like it and so would Linda. Joyce

Good morning Debbie. What a great post is this again. Loved your story about the Alsace. We always learn from you teacher. LOL. LOve the plates and all the other goodies and I love Riesling and Gewurztraminer. My favorite wines.Have a great week.Riet

Oh my! I'm in love with all of your lovely keepsakes from your adventures! (And kitty, too! When has a cat ever felt like doing what was desired of it? That's part of why we adore them so much!) This is my first trip to your blog but I'll be back. Please come visit me when you have a moment!

Hi Debbie or should I say Bonjour Madame Debbie.I haven't been to these places but I was very close.It was in the fall, so a little chilly. I would like to go back to France in the summer, when I can wear a little French dress with a big Jackie O hat...of course with Audrey sun glasses... who am I kidding, just take me to GA. lolLove your post today dear friend.Love Claudiexoxoxo

Hi Debbie! Yes, Gloria and I had wonderful time. Then I forgot one of my purchases she had in her cart so we ended up talking on the phone for another hour later in the evening! She is just the sweetest lady.

I love the color of those first plates. The story about the bow is so interesting!Hugs,Dawn

Debbie, how fortunate for us to have a French teacher among us who can share so much! Loved this post...love the dishes, love your sweet Kitty too! I always have fun when I stop by your blog.Oh, I've always wondered about the bows...very interesting!Donna

A beautiful post of for us, Belgians a well known region of France. This is quit close to the Belgian border this region. I love the Alsacian houses. I think it is a very pretty style and oh these traditional dresses...They are so wonderful.

Hi Debbie,I have a Sarreguemines platter with a very similar decor to your Alsace plate.We lived in Bavaria for almost 14 years and there I learned to love Gewürztraminer and Edelzwicker wines.It's a small world!Maggie

I adore your website! I am a blue plate and cobalt blue glass addict. Your blog on Giverny was glorious! I read it before I went this summer. I was going to walk down to the cemetery to see Monet's grave but it was way too hot so I sat on a bench and had a delightful chat with some local ladies. We even sang a little "Alouette" together! Where can I get that wonderful music you have playing in the background? It is gorgeous! I miss Paris every day!

Hi Shari! Thanks for your sweet comments! I am so glad that you enjoy my blog! Isn't Giverny wonderful? I can't wait to return! All of the music on my blog came from playlist.com, but the artists are all available individually at amzon. com I would think. Carla Bruni is the wife of the French President, Nicholas Sarkozy and a pop star there! Only in France! Julien Clerc is a particular favorite of mine, but has a very distinctive voice. Thanks so much for your visit!...hugs...Debbie

Hi Debbie....love this post. me and daughter stopped in Strasbourg on our little side trip to Germany...a cute little town...I remember it having some great little shops but as typical tourists I also remember eating some sort of bad fast food....Sorry I missed out on the fun today...I'm still hacking and coughing...no one wants to be around me....That swine flu has everyone on edge...everytime I coughin public I see people cringe...Hope to see you during the holidays...Sue

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